LST 325 at Riverfront Park

[hipower]

Anyone besides me been to see the reconditioned LST 325 down at Riverfront Park? Best info can be had by google and web searches, but basically it's this.

A WWII LST(Landing Ship Tank), repaired by former Navy servicemen, is docked down at the park. Open to public tours thru Monday the 25th.

It's a chance to step aboard a piece of American history. This gallant lady was rescued from the Greek salvage yard where it was found, after being sold off after the war; repaired and brought across the Atlantic. She is permanently docked at Evansville, IN; but is on a tour right now.

According to web info, and what I learned today; she made 40 crossings of the Atlantic with troops and supplies, was in service during the Normandy Invasion; delivering men and equipment to the beaches.

My poor telling of this is really enough reason to go, but check it out online and see what I mean.

My wife and I went today and thouroughly enjoyed the experience. Lots of veterans there, a surprising number from WWII as well. Saw several men wearing "Honor Flight" caps and other ship id caps.

The highlite of the day for me was the honor and pleasure meeting and talking with 2 gentlemen; one a survivor of the Iwo Jima landings, the other wearing his decorations from Normandy and Iwo.

To say that I had chills from the experience is saying much too little. All I was really able to do was ask if I could shake their hands and give them a teary "Thank You."

I'm not ashamed to admit I was awed by these two gentlemen. I was in the presence of real "greatest generation" heroes. Not taking anything away from our current service people, but this was a humbling experience for me. Getting to meet some of those who made this country and were not afraid to take risks to keep it free and safe.

If you can...go. It's well worth the effort.

Edited September 23, 2012 by hipower

[charlessummers]

Heading there tomorrow... Hope to meet a few of the veterans myself. I know a guy that was at Okinawa and Iwo Jima both, but he's way too frail to go. I wish that I could take him. I'm sure he'd enjoy it. I have another WWII friend that fought on the Russian side of the war from the day they entered the war, to the day it ended. He was a tank commander, as was my grandfather... Both of these guys are great and it is always an honor to be around them.